Motion without notice in the National Assembly on 11 September 2014 by ML Filtane, MP Motion without notice on the incident which unfolded at the Umtata High Court yesterday, 10 September 2014 I hereby move, on behalf of the Chief Whip of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) move without notice, that the house; (1) Notes the incident which unfolded at the Mthatha High Court yesterday where two dangerous suspects died on the scene and one official was reported wounded, following a fierce exchange of gunfire with members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU – police), and correctional services officers (DC). (2) The two suspects; Sakhumzi Mvoko (30) and Yandisa Bila 32, jointly faced 17 counts of murder, armed robbery and rape. (3) They had allegedly terrorised the former Transkei area for many years. (4) Further Notes that, one suspect accessed a fire arm from a dustbin situated within the precinct of a court of law, thus raising serious questions about the state of safety of our justice officials and institutions. (5) Notes that in December 2013, two police officers were stabbed at the same Mthatha High Court by prisoners. (6) Further wish the injured officer a speedy recovery and hope that the investigation into the person who hid the fire arm in the dustbin could be concluded speedily with consequences. (7) The house commends the NIU and DCS officers for the swift reaction to a potentially disastrous situation. Thank you
Motion without Notice in the National Assembly by Ms Majeke, MP Subject: Tribute to a liberation struggle hero: Ndabambi Mthenjane I move without notice on behalf of the Chief Whip of the United Democratic Movement, that the house notes that: Mr Ndabambi Mthenjane an unsung liberation struggle hero passed away on 28 August 2014 at his Soweto home. Mr Mthenjane who turned 100 years on the 28 February 2014, is known for his firebrand activism with unlimited opinions about the struggle, spent most of his youth activism in Mpumalanga. Even though he was not a one of the renowned freedom fighters, he will be remembered as an activist who contributed in the fight against oppression. He surely joins other struggle stalwards for whose contribution today we enjoy freedom. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Thank you
Follow up questions to the Governance Cluster – Question 107 – Hon Filtane – Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minster, the Auditor General’s Report (2012-13) for municipalities shows an increase on the Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure of 31% of which 41% is attributed to EC Municipalities including the KSD Municipality wherein more than R7 m has been reported to have been spent irregularly, unauthorised and fruitlessly. What is the department’s plan to deal with what AG has identified as lack of internal controls and its root causes? Are there new time lines if any to ensure clean audits across all municipalities given that the “clean audit” targets for 2014 have not been met? Question 102 – Hon Majeke – Public Service and Administration Minister, is government considering or prepared to consider an investigation into occupationally specific dispensation pay for teachers, as one of the interventions towards improving quality of our education and keep the profession attractive?
Statement issued by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General The barrage of attacks, both on the person and office, of the Public Protector are becoming more and more creative. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has noted the claims that she is on the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) payroll and we find it distasteful. The sounds coming from the peanut gallery are a desperate attempt at discrediting a constitutional body that is doing its job properly. These statements, such as what Deputy-Minister Kebby Maphatsoe made at the weekend, is a clumsy attempt to protect President Zuma at all cost – even at the expense of our august Parliament and the credibility of the ruling party. For a Cabinet Minister to make such a statement is unbecoming. The UDM would ask the Deputy-Minister, should he have irrefutable truth that indeed Advocate Madonsela is on the CIA’s payroll, he should share that with the public. The UDM also noted that the ruling party had stopped at nothing to defend former Electoral Commission Chairperson Pansy Tlakula. The fact President Zuma’s office and his party has said nothing in defence of the Public Protector is extremely ironic.
STATEMENT ISSUED BY MR BONGANI MSOMI, UDM SECRETARY GENERAL The United Democratic Movement (UDM) wants to know why the Dalai Lama is, yet again, barred from entering South Africa. Maybe it’s third time lucky? How ironic that a peaceful leader, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, cannot visit South Africa to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, whilst we are proud of those South Africans who have been bestowed the same honour. Now we hear that other laureates will not come if the Dalai Lama is not permitted to enter the country. What a poor peace summit it will make when the host country, for some unknown reason, denies the Dalai Lama access to this international event. The rest of the world must be raising their eyebrows. The UDM believes that it is plain and simple; there is a pattern forming. Government must come clean and say why it does not want the Dalai Lama to come to South Africa. Hiding behind bureaucracy just does not cut it anymore.
Statement by Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) believes it is a travesty that women in the workplace, both in the private and public service, are not safe from sexual harassment, abuse, violence and rape. One of the main reasons why people with much needed skills, such as doctors and nurses, leave for greener pastures is that they are not safe at their places of work. We have much sympathy with, Ms Bongiwe Mnguni, a nurse who was beaten and raped at the Helen Joseph Hospital. We hope that she fully recovers from this horrific experience; our hearts go out to her. Although Ms Mnguni has suffered much harm to her body, mind and soul, we commend her for the courage to speak out. Hopefully this act will encourage more abused women to come forward. We also hope that Ms Mnguni will not leave the matter there. The police must investigate the incident and arrest the monster who attacked her. This man deserves nothing more than to rot in jail for the remainder of his years. UDEMWO believes that the hype created during Women’s Month and the 16 Days of Activism is all for nought. Government throws big parties under the name of sensitising the nation to the plight of women and girl-children. Journalists write endless stories during those times. They seem to be forgetting the rest of the year. Looking at this from a man’s perspective, they feel left out when all of government’s efforts are targeted at women’s issues – government should give some attention to this. The big picture looks bleak and UDEMWO calls on government to urgently make the places of work of their employees safe. Identifying the problem and talking about solutions is not enough – do something and find the criminals who makes us live in fear.
Address by Mr NL Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Hon Speaker and honourable Members Savings and Investment are critical tools for a sustainable economic development and improvement of conditions of life of all nations. The reported shift from the panic “I can’t afford the cost of living” to action; cutting back on spending and paying down or avoiding debts and invest more, is a positive development, however, it is enabling few from urban and historical advantaged citizens. Each year, a certain percentage of households confirm to be earning more than the previous year, yet this is not directly translated into equal percentage increase on savings and investments instead increases the level and margins of daily consumption. Old Mutual Saving Monitor reported in July 2012, that there is a decrease in informal saving yet such has not resulted to any significant swing in favour of a particular type of saving. Further, this report showed that South Africans saving and investment were recorded in 2014 as follows: • 37% Life assurance / death and disability covers; • 24% Retirement Annuity; • 57% Pension/Provident Fund; • 27% Education; • 72% Funeral policy / plan and • 34% No formal retirement savings Facts are that, most people are saving for lavish funerals than life after formal employment and this affects mainly the historically disadvantaged citizens. This trend, if left as is, will certainly result to increase of citizens who retire to be beneficiaries of government grants. Accordingly, any attempts by government and the people of South Africa to intervene and ensure improvement in terms of savings and investment calls for our collective support as this house. Further, and in particular for those in the dark about the importance of a saving and investing nation more investment by government on education and education is one of the tools to be used to turn around the situation. We must as a nation and deliberately resist the temptation to expand the margins of the state security bracket. I thank you
Address by Mr BH Holomisa, MP Honourable Speaker Honourable Members The poaching of rhino in South Africa is currently taking its toll on one of the most lucrative sectors, namely heritage tourism. The destruction of our heritage and unsustainable resource consumption results to lose of employment opportunities. In terms of statistical evidence, periodically released by various local and global institutions, indications are that we are losing the battle against rhino poaching. These statistics confirms that it is not well and that we have a national crisis. It further embarrasses the nation when such act of criminality, cruelty against animals and the threat to sustainability of our heritage is done with concurrence of some officials in collaboration with criminals. The question that we must ask ourselves as people of South Africa, is whether as a country concerned with future economic growth and its heritage, are giving due consideration to the actual economic value of these animals. It is reported that, involved in these acts is amongst others; South African citizens and one or more neighbouring countries. Whilst, we commend the department of environmental affairs and all citizens for their efforts in confronting this matter; a further decisive intervention will be for the South African President to engage the Heads of the relevant countries and bring and immediate end to rhino poaching.